Constant nausea and no appetite: what to know

Nausea is the unpleasant urge to vomit, while reduced appetite means food seems unappealing. A stomach or bowel illness, acid reflux, gastritis, food poisoning, or gastroenteritis may present with nausea. Gallstones can present with nausea, particularly alongside upper-right abdominal pain after eating. Heat exhaustion may present with nausea, weakness, dizziness, sweating, and thirst. Hepatitis A may present with nausea and poor appetite along with tiredness, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These symptoms do not identify one condition on their own.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Try small portions of bland foods such as toast, rice, soup, or yoghurt if tolerated; avoid forcing a large meal. Keep a note of vomiting, bowel changes, pain, fever, urine output, medicines, and foods that worsen symptoms. Avoid alcohol and seek advice before taking an anti-sickness medicine, especially if pregnant or managing another condition.

Arrange a prompt clinical assessment if nausea continues, appetite remains low, or you are losing weight or struggling to keep fluids down. Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, blood in vomit or stool, repeated vomiting, very little urine, or yellow skin or eyes.

Ask what might be causing the symptoms, whether medicines or tests could help, and how to maintain hydration and nutrition while the cause is assessed.